The Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) nests in Arctic tundra but winters over much of the United States. The winter plumaged Lapland Longspurs in the top 3 images on this page were landing briefly near a wet area to drink, near Texline, Dallam Co., Texas, in January, 2009. These images were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 800mm F/5.6 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.

One of the thrilling things about visiting Alaska in the spring is to see Lapland Longspurs in breeding plumage. The next nine shots show a breeding plumaged male Lapland Longspur at Nome, Alaska, in May, 2012. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.

The next two shots of a male Lapland Longspur were taken in Barrow, Alaska, in June, 2012, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.